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Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List From Which to Select Your 
Next Play 

FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubbs. For five male and six female characters. Time 
of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two 
easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a 
farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New 
Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, 
and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry 
Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip 
learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple 
plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
alternately to tears and to laughter. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, fi\e female. Plays two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer 
When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave 
Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- 
covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. 

THE OLD NEAV HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich 
in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- 
uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play 
everybody understands and likes. 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
fernales. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a 
country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which 
results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker 
in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- 
mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girL 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



QUEEN CHRISTMAS 

A Pageant Play 



By 
CAROLYN WELLS 

Author of " The Meaning of Thanksgivitig Day,''* 
"The Sweet Girl Graduate, '^ etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1922 



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COPYRIGHT 
1922 BY 
THE PENN 
PUBLISHING 
COMPANY 




©Cl.0 600V6 



Queen Christmas 

FEB 24 1922 



Queen Christmas 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

King Christmas. 

Steward. 

First Courtier. 

Second Courtier. 

Light — A Boy. 

The Gifts — A Boy or Girl or Both. 

The Feast — A Fat Boy. 

The Christmas Tree — A Boy. 

Decorations — A Boy or Girl. 

Santa Claus. 

Herald. 

Porters. 

Pages. 

Workmen. 

Queen Christmas. 

The Bells— a Girl. 

Snow — A Girl. 

Spirit of Love — A Girl. 

Note. — The success of this play depends largely 
upon the character of Queen Christmas. She should 
be a dainty, piquant creature, capable of smiles and 
tears, and of a personal magnetism that dominates the 
whole presentation. The verses, given as songs, may 
be recited, if preferred ; or, if more music is wanted, 
Christmas carols or glees* may be introduced freely. 



COSTUMES 

King Christmas wears royal robes of red, trimmed 
with ermine, gold crown, scepter and full regalia. 

Steward wears court uniform with gold trappings. 

First Courtier wears costume of the period. 

Second Courtier wears costume of the period. 

Light wears a suit of yellow or flame-colored stuff, 
made shiny with gilt paper, and candles are fastened 
to sleeves, shoulders and collar, and a crown of candles 
is on his head. These would better not be lighted, but 
he may carry a long lighted candle in each hand, or, if 
convenient, an electric Christmas-tree lighting device, 
with storage battery, or red paper lanterns, or pocket 
flash-lights. 

The Gifts wears holiday apparel and carries a pro- 
fusion of parcels tied with tissue paper and ribbons. 
Also exposed gifts, such as dolls, toys and candles. 

The Feast wears chef's costume, with white cap 
and apron. He carries a great tray and a basket hangs 
on each arm, all filled with good things to eat and 
decorated for Christmas. 

The Christmas Tree wears a brown gnome's suit, 
bearing a Christmas tree, fully decorated and strung 
with small gifts. 

Santa Claus wears usual costume. 

Herald wears usual court herald's suit. 

Porters wear costumes of the period. 

Pages wear costumes of the period. 

Workmen wear regular working clothes or smocks. 

Queen Christmas wears regal robes of white, 
trimmed with ermine, a gold crown with white feathers 
or lace-draped veil and sparkling jewels. Pages may 
carry her train. 

The Bells wears short, full skirts with many little 
bells sewed to the ruffles. The dress may be on the 



COSTUMES 5 

order of a Folly costume, but must be red and green, 
with bells everywhere. She carries a string of small 
sleigh bells. 

Decorations wears a dark green costume laden with 
Christmas decorations. Wreaths strung on each arm, 
trailing ropes of green, hands full of red paper bells, 
stars and crosses made of greens or red immortelles or 
holly, all bearing red ribbon streamers. 

Snow wears a dress of white, woolly stuff, edged 
with swan's down and glistening with diamond dust or 
tinsel. She carries a lot of cotton snowballs which she 
tosses about. 

Spirit of Love wears a simple white robe, streaming 
blond hair, with a single star above her brow. She has 
white wings, if possible. 



Queen Christmas 



SCENE. — The throne room of King Christmas. On 
a large raised dais stands one royal chair. A similar 
one must be in readiness. The throne is hung -with 
red draperies and decorated with Christmas greens^ 
holly wreaths, stars, and so on. The whole room is 
trimmed with Christmas effects, and a ceiling or 
background is of dark blue studded with stars. 
Workmen are putting finishing touches to the 
preparations. Pages are running here and there, 
picking up scraps of greens, of which a few bits are 
still seen on the chair. A Steward is in charge and 
is giving orders. 

Chorus: 
(Air, chorus of " Over There.") 

Christmas Day, Christmas Day, 
All the world, all the world glad and gay ; 
With the bells a-ringing 
And songs a-singing 
And all the court in brave array. 
Christmas Day, Christmas Day, 
One and all, one and all glad and gay ; 
With a welcome to King Christmas, 
For he's coming home to his court for 
Christmas Day ! 

Steward {pompous looking. Directing Porters). 
Hang that wreath higher ! Raise that star a bit ! 
Dust off the chair whereon the King shall sit ! 

7 



8 QUEEN CHRISTMAS 

King Christmas comes ; the hour is drawing nigh. 

{Looks at his watch.) 

Is all in readiness? Haste, minions, fly! 

Herald {entering in haste). 

What ho ! What ho ! A message swift I bring — 
A message from our well-beloved King. 

Steward. 

A message ? Give it me ! What does it say ? 

{Reading.) 
" Have the court ready. Will return to-day. 

And, hark ye, courtiers, welcome, too, prepare 

For vour Queen Christmas, who my throne will 
share." 

A Courtier. 

A Queen ! He's married ! 

Another Courtier. 

Bringing home his bride! 

Steward. 

Queen Christmas ! By my troth, 'twill be our pride 

To give her welcome in right royal way ! 

When do they get here ? Quick ! What time, I say ? 

Herald. 

They'll be here any minute. 

Steward. Ho, a chair! 

For two the royal throne we must prepare ! 

(Porters and Pages bring second chair, place it on 
the throne beside the first and decorate it. All scurry 
round, touching up the decorations, singing as they 
work. ) 

We're ready for the King, we're ready for the King, 

But if he brings a Queen with him that's quite an- 
other thing ! 

Oh, quite another thing! Yes, quite another thing! 

If he should bring a Queen with him, that's quite an- 
other thing ! 



QUEEN CHRISTMAS Q 

Steward (approving). 

Yes, that is tine ! Another cushion bring, 
Her Majesty will sit beside the King. 

Herald {from doorway). 

What ho ! The King and Queen ! 

{All how deeply as the royal pair enter. Pages may 
carry her train, and the King may have attendants 
in court dress.) 

Chorus : 
{Air, "Battle Hymn of the Republic") 

With holly berries scarlet and with spicy branches 

green 
We decorate in honor of our Christmas King and 

Queen, 
And bid them hearty welcome as they come upon 

the scene. 

Our Christmas King and Queen. 

Hail, O King and Queen of Christmas, 
Hail, O King and Queen of Christmas, 
Hail, O King and Queen of Christmas, 
Our Christmas King and Queen. 

King Christmas {to Queen, as they near the throne).. 
My bonny Queen, I bid you welcome here. 
My home, my court, my throne — all yours, my dear. 

Queen Christmas {laughing happily). 
Oh, dearie King, it's such a darling place ! 

King Christmas {seating her). 

Your throne, my dear, where you will reign with 

grace. 
{To Courtiers.) 

My courtiers, your love and loyalty 
Queen Christmas will henceforward share with me. 
Holiday all ! Let merriment prevail ! 



lO QUEEN CHRISTMAS 

Courtiers. 

All hail ! King Christmas and Queen Christmas, 
hail! 

King Christmas (to Queen Christmas). 
I see upon your face, beloved Queen, 
A puzzled look — tell me, what does it mean ? 

Queen Christmas (perplexedly). 
I am a little puzzled, I admit. 
There's something bothers me a tiny bit. 
You know, King dear, I came from far away, 
From Never-Never Land, where, strange to say, 
Of Christmas we have never heard, and so, 
What Christmas means, truly, I do not know ! 

King Christmas. 

Not know what Christmas means ! My little love, 
The joys of Christmas you shall quickly prove! 

Queen Christmas (wonderingly) . 
The joys of Christmas? 

King Christmas. 

Yes, they must be seen 

By one who calls herself a Christmas Queen ! 

Heralds ! .Stewards ! Courtiers ! Ho ! What ho ! 

I say! 
Let Christmas Joys be marshaled in array ; 
And let them all in brave review appear 
Before Queen Christmas! Haste and bring them 

here! 
And bring a palm, that she may favor show 
And on the worthiest Joy a prize bestow. 

(Courtiers how and exit. In a moment a Herald 
enters. He gives the Queen a large and heautifid 
palm leaf or wreath.) 

Herald. 

King Christmas, I return, your bidding done, 
The Christmas Joys will enter, one by one. 



QUEEN CHRISTMAS II 

(Enter The Bells. Behind the scenes church bells 
ring softly.) 

The Bells {sings. Air, ''Jingle Bells "). 
The bells on Christmas Day 
Are jubilant and gay, 
They tinkle, binkle, winkle in a happy 

sort of way. 
How merrily they ring 
A cheery ting-a-ling, 
Melodiously chiming out a tuneful ding- 

a-ding. 

Christmas bells, Christmas bells, 
Jingle bright and gay ; 
Oh, what fun it is to hear 
The bells on Christmas Day ! 

Queen Christmas. 

'Tis fun, indeed ! I love you, Christmas Bells ! 
I'm sure the greatest joy your music tells ! 

(Enter Light.) 
Light. 

Hail, King, and hail, O Queen ! It is my right 
The joy of Christmas candles to recite. 
One moment your attention I invite. 
Just picture to yourself how some poor wight 
Would find himself indeed in sorry plight 
Unless upon this Christmas Eve he might 
The tapers on his Christmas tree ignite 
And turn it to a glittering, sparkling sight ! 
Laden with cheer, with twinkling stars bedight, 
Oh, 'tis the Christmas candles shining bright 
That make the joy of merry Christmas night. 
The greatest joy of Christmas time is Light ! 

Queen Christmas (clapping her hands). 
Oh, yes, oh, yes ! I love the sparkle bright ! 
I'm sure the greatest Christmas joy is Light! 



12 QUEEN CHRISTMAS 

King Christmas (smiling at her enthusiasm). 
But wait, my Queen, wait till you see the rest ; 
You can't decide so soon which is the best ! 

{Enter Decorations.) 

Decorations {recites while dancing about, hanging up 
decorations or laying some at Queen's feet.) 
Wreaths of holly, gay and jolly, 

Decorate our Christmas Day; 
Red and gleaming ribbons streaming 

Flutter in a merry way. 
Christmas roses, scarlet posies, 

Sprays of pearly mistletoe. 
Greens and mosses, stars and crosses. 

All is glitter, gleam and glow. 

Queen Christmas {delightedly) . 

Oh, oh, I'm sure nothing could be more jolly 
Then those enchanting wreaths of greens and holly ! 
They are so bright and beautiful and gay — 
Oh, decorations make the Christmas Day ! 

{Enter Snow. Sleigh-hells jingle faintly outside.) 

Snow {sings. Air/' Sweet and Low"), 
Falling snow, crystal snow, 

Hallows the Christmas scene; 
Blow, blow, drifting snow. 

Over the fir trees green. 
Softly and silently falling down, 
Over the country and over the town, 

Setting our hearts aglow. 
While the Christmastime gleams with frost 
and rime. 

Snow — snow — snow. 

Queen Christmas {looking rapt and exalted). 
Oh, King, my King! There's nothing, I am sure. 
So beautiful as snow! So fair, so pure! 
So dainty and so lovely; but, I say, 
Tell me — what is snow good for, anyway? 



QUEEl^ CHRISTMAS tt 

King Christmas {laughing). 

Why, good to go sleigh-riding on, and then, 
It's good for making snowballs, forts and men ! 
It's good to wash your rosy face with — and 
It can turn earth into a fairyland ! 

(Enter The Gifts.) 

The Gifts (recites). 

Oh, girls and boys, all Christmas joys 

Are very, very, very pleasant; 
But it seems to me, and I know you'll agree. 

The best is the Christmas present ! 

(// both boy and girl appear, then they exchange gifts 
with each other, each delightedly smiling and ex- 
plaining alternately.) 



" Oh, thank you so much ! " " I'm quite overcome ! " 

" For me ? I'm delighted indeed ! " 
" It's just what I wanted ! " '' It fair strikes me 
dumb ! " 
" The very book I want to read ! " 

" Why how did you know " " Oh, lovely ! How 

sweet ! " 
" Exquisite ! " '' Magnificent ! " " Fine ! " 
" How perfectly gorgeous ! " " Oh, my, what a 
treat ! " 
" I scarce can believe it is mine ! " 
(Together.) 

It's all very well to talk uplift, 
But on Christmas we want a Christmas gift. 
And the human heart, be it king or peasant. 
Is thrilled at the sight of a Christmas present ! 

Queen Christmas (smiling happily). 

Of course we are, you blessed, generous things ; 
Gifts are well loved by peasants and by kings; 
And let me one small secret tell to you — 
A queen would sometimes like a present too ! 



14 queen christmas 

King Christmas. 

A Queenie should have presents, so she should! 
And to small queens who're very, very good 
It sometimes happens — well, you wait and see 
What Santa brings you on your Christmas tree ! 

Queen Christmas (wonderingly) . 

Santa? A Christmas tree? What do you mean? 

King Christmas. 

Sh ! Wait a bit ; be patient, little Queen. 

(Enter The Feast. He grins broadly as he offers his 
burdens to the King and Queen.) 

The Feast (recites). 

We may live without carols and candles and snow, 
We may live without holly, without mistletoe, 
We may live without presents of pictures or books ; 
But at Christmas mankind cannot live without 

cooks ! 
Though it may be the last, it can never be least, 
The best joy of Christmas is surely the Feast ! 
Though art may be long and though time may be 

fleeting, 
The best joy of Christmas is just — overeating! 

Queen Christmas (gazing hungrily at the goodies). 
My goodness, dear King, it's a curious thing ! 
But I think I could relish a small chicken wing. 

King Christmas. 

Not now, Queenie darling, our feast will be laid 
When your palm is awarded, your choice has been 
made. 

(Enter The Christmas Tree.) 

The Christmas Tree (sinqs to the tree. Air, "Upi- 
dee"). 

The greatest joy of Christmastide, 

Christmas tree, Christmas tree. 
In thee all love and friendship bide, 
Christmas, Christmas tree. 



QUEEN CHRISTMAS I5 

Thou symbol true of all the rest, 
Of Christmas joy thou art the best; 
Crowning joy of Christmastide, 

Christmas tree, Christmas tree, 
Loving hearts thy fruits provide, 

Christmas, Christmas tree. 

Queen {agog with excitement). 

I want a Christmas tree 
All for my very own ! 
I'd rather have it a thousand times 
Than all this royal throne ! 

{Enter Santa Claus, very jolly and capering about.) 

Santa Claus {sings. Air, ''Captain Jinks"), 
I'm Santa Claus, and I'm glad I'm here 
To join you in your Christmas cheer. 
And I'm glad to welcome you, my dear, 

You charming Queen of Christmas. 
I am the chief of Christmas joys — 
Ask the girls; ask the boys — 
And I've brought you a pack of Christmas toys, 

You charming Queen of Christmas. 

{Repeat first four lines.) 

King Christmas. 

How now, my Queen, my royal lady fair, 
Judge with an honest and impartial air. 
And tell me truly, how do you decide? 
Which is the greatest joy of Christmastide? 

Quef.n Christmas {looking crestfallen and deeply 
disappointed). 

Oh, King, I am so sorry, but — you see. 
Not one of these the greatest joy can be ! 

King Christmas. 

Not one? Why, how you talk! What do you mean? 
Come, come, award the palm, my cherished Queen. 



l6 QUEEN CHRISTMAS 

Queen Christmas (almost crying). 

■ I can't! I can't! The right one isn't here! 

Oh, Herald, find more joys — search — persevere! 

There must be one more ; find one more, I say ; 

There's something lacking, some joy gone astray. 

(Herald goes out hastily and returns with the Spirit 
OF Love.) 

Spirit of Love (sings. Air, " Believe Me, If All 
Those Endearing Young Charms"). 
Queen Christmas, you see here the Spirit of Love, 

I offer you full Christmas joys; 
I know that without me the day cannot prove 

A blessing without an alloy. 
For it's only the love light that gives the real glow, 

The love song that chants the real tone ; 
And the worth of the gift must be reckoned, I know, 

By the love of the giver alone. 
All the bells and the presents, the lights and the songs 

Without me are lacking in cheer ; 
For the Spirit of Love to this season belongs. 

Or Christmas is empty and drear. 
And I'm sure you agree that the Spirit of Love 

In the true Merry Christmas must share, 
Though its joys may be many — all others above — 

The Spir.it of Love must be there. 

Queen (all smiles now, rises and, waving the great 
palm, looks kindly on the assembled Joys. [Air, re- 
frain of " Columhia, the Gem of the Ocean"]) : 
I've listened to everyone's story; 

I've heard from each one that is here. 
You all help to make Christmas glory. 

You all help to make Christmas cheer. 

I love all these joys gay and merry, 
The gifts and the songs and the rest; 

You're each of you quite necessary ; 
But — the Spirit of Love is the best ! 



QUEEisr CHRISTMAS 17 

Yes, the Spirit of Love is the best, 
Far greater than all of the rest ; 
Though each is possessing a true Christmas blessing, 
The Spirit of Love is the best ! 

(Queen gives palm to the Spirit of Love, and all on 
the stage sing in chorus.) 

Yes, the Spirit of Love is the best ! 
Far greater than all of the rest ! 

Of all of the blessings of Christmas, 
The Spirit of Love is the best ! 

CURTAIN 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six 
males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of 
playing, two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes; 
may be presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com^ 
feination of a real "entertainment," including music, recitations^ 
etc., with an interesting love story. The graduation exercises'' 
include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions^ 
and a comical speech by a country school trustee. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOX.. 

An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight mak 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee, who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers 
to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims 
the teacher. Very easy and very effective. 

BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- 
tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male 
and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. 
Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are 
sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig," a clerk in 
a country store, aspires to be a great author or singer and 
decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in 
Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership 
in the country store. He pops the question in the midst of a 
surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- 
numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special 
scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all 
easy. The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- 
vention. The climax comes when a woman's rights cham- 
pion, captures the convention. There is a great chance to bur- 
lesque modern politics and to work in local gags. Every 
part will make a hit. 

SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and five female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled. 
Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may be played without set 
scenery. Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- 
ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for 
specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted 
to almost any place or occasion. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLET'Sc An En- 
tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and 
seven female characters. Interior scene, or may be given with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. Time, one hour. By the 
,author of the popular successes, "Graduation Day at Wood HiU)« 
School," "Back to the Country Store," etc. The villagers have 
planned a birthday surprise party for Mary Brinkley, recently 
graduated from college. They all join in jolly games, songs, 
conundrums, etc., and Mary becomes engaged, which surprises 
the surprisers. The entertainment is a sure success. 

JONES VS. JINKS. A Mock Trial in One Act, by 
Edward Mumford. Fifteen male and six female characters, with 
supernumeraries if desired. May be played all male. Many of the 
parts (members of the jury, etc.) are small. Scene, a simple 
interior ; may be played without scenery. Costumes, modern. 
Time of playing, one hour. This mock trial has many novel 
features, unusual characters and quick action. Nearly every 
character has a funny entrance and laughable lines. There are 
many rich parts, and fast fun throughout. 

THE SIGHT-SEEING CAR. A Comedy Sketch in One 
Act, by Ernest M. Gould. For seven males, tvvo females, or 
may be all male. Parts may be doubled, with quick changes, so 
that four persons may play the sketch. Time, forty-five minutes. 
Simple street scene. Costumes, modern. The superintendent 
of a sight-seeing automobile engages two men to run the 
machine. A Jew, a farmer, a fat lady and other humorous 
characters give them all kinds of trouble. This is a regular gat- 
ling-gun stream of rollicking repartee. 

THE CASE OF SMYTHE VS. SMITH. An Original 
Mock Trial in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eighteen males 
and two females, or may be all male. Plays about one hour. 
Scene, a county courtroom ; requires no scenery ; may be played 
in an ordinary hall. Costumes, modern. This entertainment is 
nearly perfect of its kind, and a sure success. It can be easily 
produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost 
any number of good parts. 

THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen 
females and one male. The male part may be played by a 
female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or 
more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery 
nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can 
.easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. 

i BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical 
Entertainment in One Act, by Edward Mumford. For five males 
and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- 
ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations 
which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire 
fun from start to finish, 

THE »ENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts. 
by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfellow. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod 
ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con 
suit each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a feinale practitioner. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
©f Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, 
and they institute a similar organization. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter 
tainment, by Amelia Sanford. For seven female char 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Voung gets tired living with her aunt. Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position/' 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acta 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnisb 
an evening of rare enjoyment. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 




^— ^ f^ i* r« LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

The Power of E 

Expression and efficiency go hand in h; 
The power of clear and forceful exp.®.,®.^^ 930^910 1 
dcnce and poise at all times — in private gatherings, in public 
discussion, in society, in business: 

It is an invaluable asset to any man or woman. It can often 
Ibe turned into money, but it is always a real joy. 

In learning to express thought, we learn to command 
thought itself, and thought is power You can have this 
power if you wilL 

Whoever has the power of clear expression is always surf 
®f himself. 

TIi€ power of expression leads to^ 

The ability to think "on your feet** 

Successful public speaking 

Effective recitals 

The mastery over other mindi 

Social prominence 

Business success 

Efficiency in any undertaking 

Are these things worth while? 

They are all successfully taught at The National School oi 
Elocution and Oratory, which during many years has de- 
veloped this power in hundreds of men and women. 

A catalogue giving full information as to how any of these 
accomplishments may be attained will be sent free on request 

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF 
ELOCUTION AND ORATORY 

40 J 2 Chestnut Street Philadelphia 



